noun
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the act or an instance of seizing or the state of being seized
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pathol a sudden manifestation or recurrence of a disease, such as an epileptic convulsion
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A sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered consciousness. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which is often diagnosed on an electroencephalogram.
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See also epilepsy
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of seizure
Explanation
A seizure is the act of taking by legal process or force, such as the seizure of evidence found at the scene of a crime. A seizure is the act of seizing — a forceful action in which an object or person is suddenly taken over, grabbed, removed, or overwhelmed. It's not something you want to happen. Criminals may think the seizure of a wealthy person can bring them a fortune in ransom money. Another kind of seizure is the kind caused by a misfire of electrons in the brain, causing a loss of control of the body. It too is an unwanted taking over by force.
Vocabulary lists containing seizure
The Bill of Rights
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Out of My Mind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Justice Goodwin Liu’s concurring opinion in that case urged local election administrators to be prepared to seek a court order blocking any attempted seizure.
From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026
Within minutes of administering vitamin B6, Ann's seizure activity stopped.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
While Linton has not been diagnosed with an underlying seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, defense attorney Jovan Blacknell said Linton suffered intermittent seizures during her life, including at the time of the wreck.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Following the seizure of 97 Bitcoin from White, it was noticed that 50 Bitcoin had been withdrawn from the digital wallet.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Maybe twenty seconds or so before the seizure I slip into this thing called an aura.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
Prosecutors have accused Linton of lying about suffering seizures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
She suffered repeated seizures, was diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood clot, and experienced wild swings in blood pressure.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
The social aspect is also important for Ian, who cannot work due to living with uncontrollable epileptic seizures.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
Walker’s illness — which included seizures and frequent hospitalizations — prevented her from traveling out of state, said Molly Duane, one of the family’s attorneys.
From Salon ● Sep. 17, 2026
In Hardwick’s eyes, “The police, protected by their helmets, are frightened and confused by these seizures of happiness.”
From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
